Taylor Swift fans get excited about a new album... but there's a twist
The Grammy winner, 35 - who bought back her entire music empire in May - released her last LP in 2024 called The Tortured Poets Department.
HITS Daily Double initially alleged in a report on Tuesday that the Bad Blood singer could possibly be working on her 12th studio album under Republic Records.
'What's more, seismic rumblings of a new Taylor set keep the Republic team as aggressive as ever,' the outlet had published.
However, an edit has since been made and altered to the simple line: 'And there's always Taylor,' while on the topic of other artists in the industry.
Before the change was made, Swifties flocked over to X to express their excitement over the speculation, with one penning, 'ts12 we are ready.'
Another added, 'I need this in my life,' while a fan wrote, 'and i speak for us all when I say that whenever Taylor decides to drop new music we WILL be STREAMING.'
'THE WORLD ISNT READY FOR HER,' one commented, and another shared, 'finally omg???'
An X user also expressed, 'mother is coming to save music,' and one simply said, 'TS12 IS COMING.'
Some had their doubts as another added, 'but also like... I'll believe it when it happens,' and one also penned, 'we know this means there's no new taylor swift album.'
And when the report changed later on Tuesday, fans of the Grammy winner still grasped onto hope.
'So that must mean it's REALLY coming then and Tree told them to get rid of that! Omg Swifties GET UP!' a fan said, referencing to Taylor's publicist Tree Paine.
Another typed, 'taylor nation made some calls. the album is DEFINITELY coming,' and one said, 'Why would they walk it back now? Is a surprise drop still on the table?'
'They're definitely hiding something ... Taylor's next move incoming,' a social media user commented, as another added, 'Looks like Taylor's team is keeping us guessing new album vibes are definitely in the air.'
Before the change was made, Swifties flocked over to X to express their excitement over the speculation, with one penning, 'ts12 we are ready'
Another added, 'I need this in my life,' while a fan wrote, 'and i speak for us all when I say that whenever Taylor decides to drop new music we WILL be STREAMING'
Some had their doubts as another added, 'but also like... I'll believe it when it happens,' and one also penned, 'we know this means there's no new taylor swift album'
And when the report changed later on Tuesday, fans of the Grammy winner still grasped onto hope
Fans have been anticipating new music from Swift amid her romance with Travis Kelce and after she dropped The Tortured Poets Department in April 2024.
The LP was nominated for two Grammys - including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Last year in October, Swifties went wild as they speculated the popstar would drop a surprise album at the time.
The rumors began due to Joe Jonas and Shawn Mendes both postponing the release of their own music.
A few months earlier in May, Taylor announced that she had bought back the rights to all of her music - and penned a heartfelt letter to her fans in celebration of the big milestone.
Fans were quick to point out what they alleged to be Easter eggs in the lengthy message.
Towards the top, the songstress had written: 'I'm trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is a slideshow.
'A flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for the chance to get to tell you this news. All the times I was thiiiiiiiiiiiis close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through.'
Last year in October, Swifties went wild as they speculated the popstar would drop a surprise album at the time; seen in 2024 in Miami
Some Swifties said that when she wrote 'this,' she included a total of 12 i's - which they believed could possibly be a tease of her 12th studio album.
And while making an appearance at the 2025 Grammys in February, she accessorized her eye-catching look with earrings that also had 12 jewels.
Taylor gave a surprise performance at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville last month in June and some fans were convinced that she could maybe jump back to her country roots with new music.
She belted out lyrics to her hit track Shake It Off - and listeners pointed out that she had gone back to her signature country twang.
While it is not officially known when Swift will drop new music, the Love Story hitmaker has been keeping busy this summer thus far.
Taylor and boyfriend Travis Kelce enjoyed a Fourth of July getaway to the exclusive Yellowstone Club in Montana.
The lovebirds have additionally been seen on recent dates over the past few months.
Shortly before Fourth of July, the lovebirds traveled to the NFL player's home state of Ohio to grab lunch at JoJo's Bar located in Chagrin Falls.
The pair could be seen sitting closely at a table near a window, with the songstress showing off her personal style in a white blouse and pleated skirt.
Kelce kept it casual for the outing in a teal-striped shirt as they held a lighthearted conversation inside the eatery with another male companion.
And shortly before the romantic trip, both Kelce and Swift were also spotted heading out for date night in NYC.
They also stopped by Tight End University's 'Tight Ends & Friends' benefit at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville - where Swift took to the stage for a surprise performance of her hit song Shake It Off.
Last month in June, Taylor achieved the big milestone of regaining control of her masters - which Travis also made 'even more special.'
A source told People, 'Reclaiming her masters has been emotional and empowering. She's proud, relieved, and finally feels like a chapter has closed in the best possible way. Having Travis by her side for that milestone made it even more special.
The NFL star was also 'honored to support her and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.' Their nearly two-year romance has also recently hit a 'turning point.'
'They're incredibly happy and in sync. There's a calmness and ease to their relationship right now that's been really grounding for Taylor and Travis.'
The insider added, 'Taylor and Travis are soaking up every minute of this slower season together. They've been splitting their time between New York, Nashville, and a few quiet getaways, just enjoying each other's company without all the usual chaos.
'This kind of downtime is rare for both of them, and it's really allowed their bond to deepen.'
Kelce is preparing for his 13th season with the NFL and has been attending training sessions in the state of Florida.
Swift has often been spotted supporting her boyfriend from the stands, and has attended over 20 games.
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These tics can be a bit cloying, and the occasional adolescent turns of phrase feel jarringly regressive: Long Chu uses 'boring' an awful lot; at one point, she introduces a particularly unimpressive quote with 'The following is an actual sentence.' Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion In a postscript to one of the greener pieces in this volume, Long Chu, who is in her early 30s, winces at the prose style deployed by her younger self – 'that kind of bloggy 'voiceyness' was dated even then'. 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Perhaps the true source of authority is companionable intelligence, and what we think of as sound judgment is just a function of familiarity – comfort in another person's psychic skin. Authority: Essays on Being Right by Andrea Long Chu is published by Hutchinson Heinemann (£20). To support the Guardian, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
